I have preferred to see a gunboat over *anything* the next wave has to offer.
Its got a good background in the star wars universe, its right for the era and have visual/aesthetic ties with the lambda.
I personally think it is a crying shame we've not had it yet.
I agree with this, and I humbly request that Gecko post another XG-1 pic on this thread.
Rakaydos, on 22 Jun 2015 - 10:32 PM, said:
Sienar, when comissioned to design a small fighter with lasers, ions, missiles, shields and hyperdrive, gave us the Tie Defender.
Cygnus, when given the same comission, gave us the Gunboat.
They're practically sister ships.
Nope!
I'd kinda give it you with the avenger, maybe, kinda,ish but no - in that they were often partnered.
The XG-1 was in service before Yavin as an interdiction and patrol ship, capable of atmospheric combat and long range patrol. By interdiction I mean in it's correct military term, obviously it doesn't have GWGs.
The TIE Advanced X-1 saw use 1 year before yavin and after, leading to the development of: The TIE Avenger after the battle of Hoth.(2-3 years after yavin?)
The defender was created between 3-15 months after, based on the Advanced X6 if I recall.
If the Defender is the F-22 then the Advanced is an F15, the Gunboat is more of an Apache gunship, and the TIE Interceptor is a Sabre Jet. (though in canon it seems that the interceptor and bomber are based off X1 prototypes too, which contradicts x-wing somewhat).
Defender could do everything the XG-1 can do, only better and faster with the exception of it still didn't as far as I know have onboard life support - making the XG-1 a better scout/patrol at atmoship. It's the next generation. Now, in later games the Defender was (thankfully) reimagined, acting more like the XG-1 did(in the absence of the XG-1). The XG-1 was relatively rare due to it's costs. The Defender yeah, barely a few dozen ever made by non-zaarin forces. Avengers didn't get much more.